Former Corpus Christi IceRays standout Jason Baird, 33, dies

CALLER-TIMES FILE
Jason Baird (left) was a fan favorite during his three seasons in Corpus Christi, putting up points and penalty minutes in bunches.

CORPUS CHRISTI - Few players in Corpus Christi IceRays history showed as much on-ice fight as Jason Baird.

After his hockey career ended, Baird had to wage an entirely different fight, one that came to an end Friday.

Baird, an IceRays standout from 2004-07, died early Friday morning at a local hospital after complications from pancreatitis. He was 33.

Baird, who had been hospitalized for the past month, had numerous surgeries since a July 2008 landscaping accident in Ohio. He suffered burns over more than 60 percent of his body after the lawn mower he was riding on exploded. That ended his pro hockey career after seven seasons.

“I think what happened was the medication he was taking over the years took a toll on his pancreas,” said former teammate Dave Gilmore, who played with Baird in Indianapolis and Corpus Christi and works in the IceRays front office.

“It was one of those things where the guy battled through all the (pain). He told me, ‘Gilly, this is more painful than my burns.’”

Baird was acquired by the IceRays in a May 2004 trade with Topeka. Baird, a skilled player who also was notorious for agitating opponents, became an instant fan favorite. In 135 games with Corpus Christi, he had 147 points (48 goals, 99 assists) and 417 penalty minutes. His numbers would’ve been better if not for a season-ending knee injury four games into his second year with the team.

“He was a great player and a great teammate for me,” said Ken McRae, who coached Baird for six seasons in Indianapolis and Corpus Christi. “When we brought him to Corpus, we brought him not just because of his play on the ice, but his character and competitiveness. He hated to lose and battled hard every night. The never-quit factor was a big thing for Bairdy.

“And he showed it after hockey with the accident. He battled through that. Most people wouldn’t have made it that far and he battled his way back. It’s a sad day for a lot of us. There are a lot of guys who played with him who are pretty upset today. Obviously, your thoughts go out to his family.”

Numerous former teammates and opponents paid tribute to Baird after learning of his death.

“As mean as he played on the ice, off the ice he was a great friend,” former IceRays defenseman Jay Hardwick said. “I will miss him very much.”

Former IceRays center Chris Richards played against Baird for years before the two became teammates in Youngstown in 2007

“He was that type of player you hated playing against but loved having on your team,” Richards said.

“When you see the other side of him and see him as a teammate, he’s a pretty soft-spoken guy and a lovable type. I’ve got lots of good memories of Bairdy.”

After his accident, Baird eventually returned to Corpus Christi. He assisted the IceRays in hockey operations for a few years as the team moved from the minor pro ranks to the junior A level.

“Even after his accident, you never got the feeling that he was a ‘woe is me’ kind of guy even though he had every reason in the world to be,” said Josh Bogorad, the IceRays’ broadcaster from 2003-10.

“He was a guy you loved to have as a friend and part of a team.”

Baird is survived by his wife Bethany, sons Isaiah and Marcus and daughter Addison. Funeral arrangements are pending. The IceRays had a moment of silence to honor Baird before Friday's home game against Odessa.